WSOF 2 ran into multiple regulatory issues leading up to last weekend’s show

The lineup for WSOF 2 delivered an evening of entertaining action last Saturday night including a main card clash between Anthony Johnson-Andrei Arlovski featuring a slugfest between two heavy-handed strikers. However, the card’s proverbial curtain was nearly never lifted due to a number of problems with the promotion’s equipment and paperwork. In fact, WSOF even had to borrow material from a regional organization to get the official green light from New Jersey State Athletic Commission representatives.

As originally reported by Bloody Elbow, the WSOF’s cage was too large for the pads/canvas and the appropriate equipment was flown in on Saturday morning. MMAFighting also spoke with NJSAC executive Nick Lembo who revealed the canvas was delivered, while the pads were actually the property of Cage Fury Fighting Championships. In terms of how close they cut it, Lembo explained the set-up wasn’t given a thumbs up until a few hours before the first preliminary pairing unfolded.

The WSOF also failed to have their scale approved by NJSAC standards, assuming it was fine since it had been cleared in Nevada. Again, equipment was lent out from CFFC.

There was also apparently an issue with some insurance forms expected to be completed prior to the weigh-ins as a measure to prevent delayed payment for fighters suffering some sort of injury related to the show. As a result, weigh-ins were delayed until the matter was resolved.

With the show completed, WSOF appears to have dodged a few bullets and will likely learn a lot from the experience. The company’s next card is scheduled for June 14 in Las Vegas.

I know WSOF is a fairly new promotion, but you gotta have your equipment cleared by the athletic commission of the state you’re promoting in. And how could they not have the right measurements for the canvas? Does their cage change sizes, or did the manufacturer screw up?

Regardless, they eventually got it right and put on a decent set of fights. Their announcing and production were definitely sub par, but the fights weren’t bad.